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A new Bible makes a wonderful gift!  They can even be personalized to make them extra special.  NIV stands for “New International Version.”  This represents the language style of the text.  Rather than the old speech of the King James Version, the NIV uses modern language.  Although there are other types available, I’ve found that the NIV is most common in the Christian and Baptist churches that I’ve visited.  It’s also commonly used on home decor where scriptural messages are displayed.  Still, it can be hard to narrow down which Study Bible is right for you (or your gift recipient).  Have you ever wondered WHY there are so many Bible types available?  It’s the same book each time, right?  Well, yes and no. Each of these Study Bibles contains full-color maps and pertinent background information.  They also have diagrams and study notes to make it easier to understand what’s going on in Bible stories. Here are some reasons that Bibles vary in size, style, and price.

Indexed Bibles are the type that have a small tab along the pages in order to separate the books.  There are 66 books in the NIV.  If your minister jumps from book to book during the sermon, it can be difficult to catch up!  Even after learning  various mnemonics  and memorizing sections of the Bible, I’ve had to set the Bible aside during a sermon so that I can focus on the message instead of finding a specific verse. The thumbed index NIV Study Bible is very helpful for finding the correct book right away.  It’s great for teens or new Christians who might not be familiar with the location of each book.  Consider asking your beginning readers to help you locate the passage for the daily devotion in your home.  They’ll take pride in  looking at the index and finding the correct section for you!

A personal study Bible is excellent for Christians who are digging deeper into the Scriptures.  In my personal study Bible, I write notes along the margins and highlight my favorite verses.  This is the Bible that I take along with me to church or to Bible studies.  I love the size of the personal study Bible. It’s just right for tucking into my purse.  If you’re looking for an all-purpose Bible that isn’t too big or too small, this would make even Goldilocks happy.

For the person who does a lot of travel, the compact study Bible is a good choice.  It’s small enough to tote around in a suitcase or carry-on bag.   The compact Bible doesn’t compromise on text, though. It still contains every inspired word of God.  Leave one of these on the nightstand in your guest room for visitors!

The large print study Bible will be easy on the eyes of those whose arms have become too short to see the verses.  Young and less-young eyes will appreciate the larger font!  If you’re doing side-by-side reading with your child, this will be a lot easier to look at together so you won’t have to pass the Bible back and forth.  My husband and I loved sharing a Bible back in the days when we could actually sit together on the church pew.  A large print version would have made this even better!

Which type of Bible is right for your needs?